Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva, directed by Ayan Mukerji, will shortly launch the Astraverse, India’s equivalent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has proven popular with western audiences. The movie is a novel concept that mixes key themes of Indian spirituality with the contemporary context. Mukerji’s pet project, which stars Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, has been in the works for quite some time. The projected budget of the movie is $38 million-$63 million making it one of the most costly Indian films to date. The cast of the movie is stacked with huge personalities with the husband-wife team, Bhatt and Kapoor, it boasts Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, Tamil megastar Nagarjuna Akkineni (commonly known as Nagarjuna), Tenet famous Dimple Kapadia, Mouni Roy and is reported to have a cameo by superstar Shahrukh Khan.
With its high fantasy idea founded in Indian mythology and an ensemble of accomplished actors, Mukerji has a strong basis to create a world that may go in many ways. In a recent discussion with Variety, Bhatt explains that the movie is “the first of its kind” to start its own cinematic world. She stated, “it’s a really daring, great giant move [in] that direction.” Adding, “It is influenced greatly by Indian mythology and Indian culture and our texts and is really the soul of India.” The movie centres around ‘astras’ (weapons) of light and shakti (energy) (energy). Kapoor portrays DJ Shiva, who discovers he has a particular affinity to fire (Agni), one of the five elements identified as ‘panchmahabhuta’ in Indian scriptures. The other four elements, earth (Prithvi), water (Jala), wind (Vayu), and space (akasha) will also be related to other characters in the movie as seen in previously released trailers.
Shiva also has the capacity to awaken a supernatural weapon, Brahmāstra which may destroy the cosmos and is protected by Brahmansh, a secret club that has guarded the ‘astras’ produced in ancient India for aeons. The filmmaker already has parts 2 and 3 mapped out and they are already in the scripting process. Along with Hindi, the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam versions of the movie will be marketed by SS Rajamouli whose epic action drama RRR starring Bhatt alongside Ram Charan and NT Rama Rao Jr (commonly known as Jr NTR) has been a roaring smash worldwide. The movie is also funded by Disney’s Star Studios, Dharma Productions, Prime Focus, and Starlight Pictures and will receive the international distribution in normal formats, 3D, IMAX 3D, and 4DX 3D.
Brahmāstra: Part One — Shiva reaches cinemas on September 9.